Display Module with a Support Structure

ABSTRACT

A display module includes a display, and a support structure including a first frame and a second frame pivotally connected to both ends of the display to support the display on a support surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display module, more particularly, arotatable display module with a novel support structure.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Flat display panel is currently a popular display module, where a liquidcrystal display (LCD) panel is characterized by lightweight, low powerconsumption, and low radiation. Because of these characteristics, theLCD panel is widely applied in portable electronic products such asnotebook computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs). LCD monitorsare so desirable that they are replacing the cathode ray tube (CRT)monitors and traditional televisions.

Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of aconventional display module 2. The display module 2 comprises a display4 which can be the LCD panel, and a display base 6 for supporting thedisplay 4. In general, the combination of the display 4 and the displaybase 6 requires a amount of space. During shipping, the combination ofthe display module 2 costs a larger carton and more cushions forprotecting the display module 2 from external impact, which increasesthe cost of packing and shipping. Moreover, a user's expectation is adisplay module with smaller base that occupies less area on the desktop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The claimed invention provides a display module with a support structureto solve the above-mentioned problems.

The claimed invention discloses a display module comprising a display,and a support structure comprising a first frame pivotally connected toa first end of the display, and a second frame pivotally connected to asecond end of the display. The first frame and the second frame supportthe display on a support surface.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt becomeobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment that isillustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conventional display module.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view diagram of a display module according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view diagram of a display module according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly diagram of a display module according tothe first embodiment of to the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an adjustment mechanism connecting to adisplay according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a disassembly diagram of the adjustment mechanism ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of a telescopic device of an adjustmentmechanism set at different angle according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a lateral view diagram of a display module utilizedwhen a display and a desktop form a 90-degree angle according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a lateral view diagram of a display module utilizedwhen a display and a desktop form a 70-degree angle according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a lateral view of a display module when enclosedaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a lateral view of a display module when fullyenclosed according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a display module according tothe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an enlarged assembly diagram of a fixed bar and adisplay according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram of a display module not fixed at a fixedbar of a first frame according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram of a display module being fixed at a fixedbar of the first frame according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates an assembly diagram of a fixing component and awave-shaped sliding track according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. FIG. 2 illustrates a frontview diagram of a display module 10 according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view diagram of adisplay module 10 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly diagram of a display module 10according to the first embodiment according to the present invention.The display module 10 includes a display 12 which can be a liquidcrystal display (LCD) panel, and a support structure 14 for supportingthe display 12 on a support surface 15. The support structure 14includes a first frame 16 connected to a first end of the display 12 forsupporting the first end of the display 12 and a second frame 18connected to a second end of the display 12 for supporting the secondend of the display 12. The first frame 16 includes two fixed bars 16 a,16 b and a foldable bar 16 c being bent to adjust an angle between thefixed bars 16 a, 16 b; the second frame 18 also includes two fixed bars18 a, 18 b and a foldable bar 18 c being bent to adjust an angle betweenthe fixed bars 18 a, 18 b. The support structure 14 further includes twobars 20 where one end is utilized for connecting the fixed bars 16 a, 16b and connecting points A, B of the foldable bar 16 c of the first frame16, another end is utilized for connecting the fixed bars 18 a, 18 b andconnecting points C, D of the foldable bar 18 c of the second frame 18.The connecting points A, B, C, D can connect through a hinge connectionmethod, which means that a corresponding displacement of rotation can begenerated between the fixed bars 16 a, 16 b and the foldable bar 16 cand the fixed bars 18 a, 18 b and the foldable bar 18 c; and thefoldable bar 16 c can perform bending at a central folding point E, andthe foldable bar 18 c can perform bending at a central folding point F,points E, F can also be linked through the hinge connection method. Thefirst frame 16 includes a first hinge 22 connected to the display 12,and the second frame 18 includes a second hinge 24 connected to thedisplay 12, wherein the first hinge 22 and the second hinge 24 areutilized together for fixing the display 12 and the first frame 16 orthe second frame 18 into a predetermined angle. The display module 10further includes two screws 25 for locking the display 12 onto thesupport structure 14 respectively which function like a fixed bearing tolock the first hinge 22 and the second hinge 24 so that the display 12can directly form a predetermined angle with the support surface 14 andalso to fix the support structure 14 corresponding to the display 12 ata predetermined location; or the screws 25 are utilized for locking theassembly of the fixed bars 16 a, 16 b, 18 a, 18 b, the first hinge 22and the second hinge 24, and there is no function of fixed bearing, thescrews can collocate with other adjustment mechanisms to achieve thefunction of the support structure 14 corresponding to the display 12 ata predetermined location.

The display module 10 further includes an adjustment mechanism 26installed at an opposite side to the first frame 16 and the second frame18 connected to the display 12 for utilizing the first frame and thesecond frame to fix the display 12 together with either the first frame16 or the second frame 18 into a predetermined angle. Please refer toFIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an adjustmentmechanism 26 connecting to a display 12 according to the presentinvention. FIG. 6 illustrates a disassembly diagram of the adjustmentmechanism 26 of FIG. 5. The adjustment mechanism 26 includes a roller28, the roller 28 having a blocking surface 29 that has a rugged tiretracks surface to provide friction between the roller 28 and the supportsurface 15 to keep the roller 28 from easily slipping off the supportsurface 15. The adjustment mechanism further includes a telescopicdevice 30 connected to the roller device 28 for adjusting a distancebetween the roller device 28 and the display 12, in this embodiment, thetelescopic device 30 is an elastic structure such as a spring, and thetelescopic device 30 can also be a hydraulic pressure pump or apneumatic pressure pump as long as the purpose of adjusting the distancebetween the roller device 28 and the display 12 can be achieved. Theadjustment mechanism further includes a fixer 32 for assembling thetelescopic device 30 and the roller device 28, the telescopic device 30can be installed into a hollow cylinder of the upper portion of thefixer 32, and the roller device 28 can combine with a U-shaped stand ofthe lower portion of the fixer 32 together with a fixed shaft 34. Theadjustment mechanism 26 further includes a handle 36 for the user tomove the roller 28. Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism includes adamper for providing a damping force as a shock absorbing effect whenthe roller 28 rotates. However, if the first hinge 22 of the first frame16 and the second hinge 24 of the second frame 18 of the display module10 can provide sufficient support to form the predetermined angle thenthe design of the adjustment mechanism can be eliminated.

Please refer to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of a telescopicdevice 30 of an adjustment mechanism changing when a display 12 is setat a different angle according to the present invention. When thedisplay 12 is moved to a two highest ends, a shape compression of thetelescopic device 30 is smallest at this point, but when the display 12is moved to a lowest point in the middle, the shape compression of thetelescopic device 30 is greatest at this point, therefore the originallength of the telescopic device 30 can be set slightly shorter than thelength of the telescopic device when the display 12 is moved to eitherthe two highest ends, hence the telescopic device 30 can maintain itsstatus of compression at any position. Elasticity is provided to theroller 28 so that the roller 28 can maintain a particular positionfirmly while not slipping off easily when the roller device 28 contactsthe contact surface at any given position.

Please refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. FIG. 8 illustrates a lateral viewdiagram of a display module 10 utilized when a display 12 and a desktopform a 90-degree angle according to the present invention. FIG. 9illustrates a lateral view diagram of a display module 10 utilized whena display 12 and a desktop form a 70-degree angle. When a user wants toview the display 12, the user can pull the foldable bars 16 c, 18 c toform a straight line to fix and support the display 12 firmly, then theuser can utilize the handle 36 to move the display 12 to adjust theangle to be most suitable for viewing. When the display 12 is positionedat different viewing angles, the roller 28 contacts the desktop; hence,through the theory of the above-mentioned, the display 12 can bepositioned effectively at each viewing angle.

Please refer to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. FIG. 10 illustrates a lateral viewof a display module 10 when enclosed according to the present invention.FIG. 11 illustrates a lateral view of a display module when fullyenclosed according to the present invention. When the user wants toenclose the display 12, the foldable bars 16 c, 18 c can be bent inwardsin an upward direction, therefore the original triangle stand can beenclosed into a vertical line, and the thickness of the display module10 can be greatly reduced to effectively save space.

Please refer to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 illustrates an external view diagram ofa display module 50 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention. The difference between the display module 50 and the firstembodiment of the present invention is in the design of the supportstructure. The display module 50 includes a support structure 54 forsupporting the display 12. The support structure 54 includes a firstframe 56 connected to a first end of the display 12 for supporting thefirst end of the display 12, and a second frame 58 connected to a secondend of the display 12 for supporting the second end of the display 12.The first frame 56 includes three fixed bars 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, and thisdiffers from the first embodiment of the present invention because thefixed bar 56 c can still perform bending in between the bars; the secondframe 58 also includes three fixed bars 58 a, 58 b, 58 c, and thisdiffers from the first embodiment of the present invention because thefixed bar 58 c can still perform bending in between the bars. Thesupport structure 54 also includes two bars where one end is utilizedfor connecting the fixed bars 56 a, 56 b and connecting points A, B ofthe fixed bar 56 c of the first frame 56, another end is utilized forconnecting the fixed bars 58 a, 58 b and connecting points C, D of thefixed bar 58 c of the second frame 58. The first frame 56 includes afirst hinge 22 connected to the display 12, and the second frame 58includes a second hinge 24 connected to the display 12, wherein thefirst hinge 22 and the second hinge 24 are utilized for fixing togetherthe display 12 and the first frame 16 or the second frame 18 into apredetermined angle. A sliding track 60 and a plurality of positioningholes 62 are installed on the fixed bar 56 c, 58 c respectively.

Please refer to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 illustrates an enlarged assemblydiagram of a fixed bar 56 c and a display 12 according to the presentinvention. The assembly of the display 12 and the fixed bar 58 c issimilar to the structure shown in FIG. 13, therefore it will not befurther mentioned. The display module 50 further includes an adjustmentmechanism 63. The adjustment mechanism 63 includes a fixing component 64where a first protrusion 65 is installed on the fixing component 64, asecond protrusion 66 and a spring 67 where one end is connected to thefixing component 64 and another end is connected to a cap 69. As thespring 67 is connected to the fixing component 64, when the fixingcomponent 64 is pulled out in X+ direction by the user, the firstprotrusion 65 of the fixing component 64 can slide in +Y or −Y directionon the sliding track 60; when the positioning bar 64 is released in X−direction by the user, the second protrusion 66 will be fastened in thefixing hole 62, at this time, the fixing component 64 will not be ableto move within the sliding track 60. In the above-mentioned, theadjustment mechanism 63 is installed on both sides of the display 12 ofthe display module 50 and will be assembled with the fixed bar 56 c andthe fixed bar 58 c respectively. In the preferred embodiment, thedisplay 12 is only capable of installing an adjustment mechanism on oneside of the display 12 to be assembled with the fixed bar 56 c or thefixed bar 58 c, therefore it will not be further mentioned.

Please refer to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram of adisplay 12 of a display module 50 not fixed at a fixed bar 56 c of afirst frame 56 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram of a display 12 of a displaymodule 50 being fixed at a fixed bar 56 c of the first frame 56according to the present invention. The assembly of the display 12 andthe fixed bar 58 c of the second frame 58 is similar to the structureshown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, therefore it will not be furthermentioned. When the user needs to adjust the viewing angle of thedisplay 12, the user can pull the fixing component 64 outwards in thedirection of the arrows as shown in FIG. 14. At this time, when the userpulls the fixing component 64 outwards, and the second protrusion 66 isnot fastened in the fixing hole 62, the fixing component bar 64 is ableto slide freely on the sliding track 60 for allowing the user to selectthe best possible viewing angle. When the user decides to fix thedisplay 12 at an angle, the user can release the fixing component 64 andthe elasticity of the spring 67 (as shown in FIG. 13) will pull thefixing component 64 back in the direction of arrows shown in FIG. 15, atthis time, the second protrusion 66 will be fastened in the fixing hole62 and the fixing component 64 is effectively fixed so that it is notable to slide freely on the sliding track 60. After the fixing component64 at both ends of the display 12 is fixed, the display 12 is thenunable to sway back and forth, thus the display 12 is effectively fixedat an angle.

The method of positioning and the fixed bar 64 sliding on the slidingtrack 60 is not only limited to the above mechanism, please refer toFIG. 16. FIG. 16 illustrates an assembly diagram of a fixing component68 and a wave-shaped sliding track 70 according to the third embodimentof the present invention. The wave-shaped sliding track 70 includes aplurality of wavy portions 72. When the user needs to adjust the viewangle of the display 12, the user can pull the fixing component 68outwards in X+ direction as shown in FIG. 16, at this time, as thefixing component 68 is not fastened in between the adjacent wavyportions 72 of the sliding track 70, therefore the fixing component 68is able to move horizontally in direction Y on the sliding track 70 forthe user to select the best possible viewing angle. When the userdecides to fix the display 12 at an angle, the fixing component 68 canbe released so that the fixing component 68 is pulled back in −Xdirection, at this time, the fixing component 68 will be fastened inbetween the adjacent wavy portions 72 of the waved-shaped sliding track70 and the fixing component 68 is effectively fixed so that it is notable to slide freely on the wave-shaped sliding track 70. After thefixing component 68 at both ends of the display 12 is fixed, the display12 is then unable to sway back and forth, thus the display 12 iseffectively fixed at an angle.

In comparison to the conventional module, the display module of thepresent invention having a support structure is capable of utilizingsimple bar structures to coordinate with the design of a roller deviceto achieve the function of supporting the display. The present inventionovercomes the defect of significant space occupied by the display baseand the display panel, and through the design of the foldable bars, thedisplay module of the present invention when enclosed is capable ofsaving space to improve on utilized volume of a container, hence theloading capacity of the container when shipping the display module isincreased.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerousmodifications and alterations of the device and method may be made whileretaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the abovedisclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and boundsof the appended claims.

1. A display module comprising: a display; and a support structurecomprising: a first frame pivotally connected to a first end of thedisplay; and a second frame pivotally connected to a second end of thedisplay; wherein the first frame and the second frame support thedisplay on a support surface.
 2. The display module of claim 1 furthercomprising a screw for locking the display onto the support structure tofix the display corresponding to the support structure at apredetermined location.
 3. The display module of claim 2 furthercomprising an adjustment mechanism connected to the display foradjusting the display corresponding to the support structure at thepredetermined location, the adjustment mechanism comprising: a roller;and a telescopic device connected to the display and the roller foradjusting a distance between the roller and the display; wherein whenthe display is adjusted to the predetermined location, the screw locksthe display onto the support structure.
 4. The display module of claim 2further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the displaycorresponding to the support structure at the predetermined location,the adjustment mechanism comprising: a sliding track formed on the firstframe; a first protrusion connected to the display for moving on thesliding track to adjust the display at the predetermined location; andwherein when the display is adjusted to the predetermined location, thescrew locks the display onto the support structure.
 5. The displaymodule of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment mechanism installedon the display for adjusting the display corresponding to the supportstructure at a predetermined location, the adjustment mechanismcomprising: a roller having at least one blocking surface; and atelescopic device connected to the display and the roller for adjustinga distance between the roller and the display; wherein when the displayis located at the predetermined location, the blocking surface abutsagainst the support surface.
 6. The display module of claim 5 whereinthe telescopic device is an elastic structure.
 7. The display module ofclaim 6 wherein the elastic structure is a spring.
 8. The display moduleof claim 5 wherein the telescopic device is a hydraulic pressure pump.9. The display module of claim 5 wherein the telescopic device is apneumatic pressure pump.
 10. The display module of claim 5 wherein theadjustment mechanism further comprises a handle for moving the roller.11. The display module of claim 1 further comprising an adjustmentmechanism for adjusting the display corresponding to the supportstructure at a predetermined location, the adjustment mechanismcomprising: a sliding track formed on the first frame; at least a fixinghole formed on the first frame near the sliding track; and a fixingcomponent connected to the display and the first frame and moveablealong a first direction, the fixed portion comprising: a firstprotrusion for sliding along the sliding track to adjust the display atthe predetermined location; and a second protrusion capable of insertinginto the fixing hole to fixed the display at the predetermined location.12. The display module of claim 1 further comprising an adjustmentmechanism for adjusting the display corresponding to the supportstructure at a predetermined location, the adjustment mechanismcomprising: a sliding track comprising a plurality of wavy portionsformed on the first frame; and a fixing component connected to thedisplay and placed between two wavy portions for fixing the display atthe predetermined location.
 13. The display module of claim 1 whereinthe support structure is foldable.
 14. The display module of claim 13wherein each of the first frame and the second frame comprises two fixedbars and a foldable bar being bent to adjust an angle between the twofixed bars.
 15. The display module of claim 13 wherein the supportstructure further comprises a bar having a first end and a second end,and the first end is connected a first connecting point of the fixed barand the foldable bar of the first frame, and the second end is connecteda second connecting point of the fixed bar and the foldable bar of thesecond frame.
 16. The display module of claim 1 wherein the display is aflat display panel.